Grafa News and Videos — Page 532

• A steep downturn in the resources sector reduced overall Australian business operating profits by 1.9% during the 2024–25 financial year.
• The contraction was led by a 19.1% fall in mining profits, stripping $32.9 billion from the sector.
• Sustained pressure from weaker global prices for iron ore, coal, and lithium remains the primary industry headwind.

• Russia has added USD Coin (CRYPTO:USDC) to its approved cryptocurrency framework, expanding the pool of digital assets available under its evolving regulatory regime. 
• The decision places USDC alongside established digital assets and highlights growing competition among large-cap cryptocurrencies and stablecoins seeking regulated market access. 
• Regulatory oversight, investment limits and concerns over potential asset freezes remain key risks for crypto adoption in Russia.

• The federal government released a consultation paper detailing an alternative mechanism to help eligible early-stage startups retain their 50% capital gains tax discount, delaying final legislation until late 2027.
• Eligible independent firms must hold an annual turnover under $50 million, operate for under a decade, and issue equity after June 30, 2027.
• The broader market faces a July 1 transition substituting the flat 50% discount with cost base indexation and a 30% minimum tax rate.

Nine senior figures have quit the Ethereum Foundation this year, including co‑executive director Hsiao‑Wei Wang, even as ETH trades about 57% below its all‑time high and Solana closes the gap.

• Yum! Brands (NYSE:YUM) entered definitive agreements to sell its Pizza Hut brand to two separate buyers for a combined $2.7 billion.
• The parent company projects $2.3 billion in net proceeds after closing adjustments, driving its share price up to $155.02 following the market announcement.
• Broad market pressures are forcing quick-service operators to shed secondary divisions as corporate boards attempt to maximize shareholder value and establish focused corporate structures.

• Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC) rebounded after the United States and Iran announced a framework peace agreement aimed at ending hostilities and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
• The rally lifted several major blockchain networks as investors rotated back into risk assets, with Bitcoin recovering above US$66,000 and Ethereum (CRYPTO:ETH) gaining more than 3%.
• Despite the rebound, ongoing ETF outflows, regulatory uncertainty and geopolitical risks remain key obstacles for the sector.

• The Australian federal government announced a $3.6 billion wage subsidy extension to secure a 15% pay rise for early childhood educators over two years, preventing a planned July 15 walkout by over 20,000 workers.
• Funding eligibility requires listed operators to cap consumer fee increases from mid-2027, directly impacting organic revenue growth and profit margins across the sector.
• The structural policy shift introduces strict regulatory compliance guidelines alongside a separate $426.6 million initiative, forcing providers to manage tight workforce retention against mandated pricing restrictions.

UK government borrowing reached £23.3 billion in May 2026, exceeding official forecasts by £5.6 billion and highlighting mounting pressure on public finances.

The cryptocurrency derivatives market endured another sharp shakeout after more than US$361 million worth of long positions were liquidated within a 24-hour period.

MDA Space (NYSE:MDA) executed a definitive agreement to acquire US-based Blue Canyon Technologies for US$620 million in cash to scale its defense footprint.